Flower ID: IMG_0106.JPG-05-12-2018 Flower name (scientific): Thalictrum dioicum Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) tha-LIK-trum dy-oh-EE-kum Flower name (common): Early Meadow Rue Family name (common): Buttercup Family name (scientific): Ranunculaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: A Greek name thaliktron used by Dioscorides for a plant with divided leaves and whose identity is not known. Used by Pliny to denote a meadow rue. Specific epithet: From the Greek for two houses, referring to the female reproductive organs and the male reproductive organs occurring on separate plants; called dioecious plants. Common name origin: Comes from the early spring bloom time, its habitat, and having divided leaves like those of rue. Rue derives from the French rue, taken from Latin rūta, from the ancient Greek for rue. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: yellow or green Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 12 to 28 inches (30 to 71 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound Size: Leaflets up to 2 to 4 cm long and up to 4.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaflet, reniform or cordate to obovate or orbiculate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): April to May Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, forests, streambanks, partial sun or shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The early bloom time and small size of the plant help distinguish Thalictrum dioicum from Thalictrum dasycarpum (Tall Meadow Rue). T. dioicum leaflets typically have 5 to 9 terminal lobes whereas T. dasycarpum leaflets usually have 2 to 3 lobes. Thalictrum amphibolum (Thalictrum revolutum nom. illeg.) (Waxy Meadow-rue, Waxyleaf Meadow-rue), a species of special concern in Wisconsin, has a resemblance. The crushed leaves of this species have an unpleasant smell (a skunk-like odor). The leaf undersides of T. amphibolum are whitish in color, waxy and covered in glandular hairs, whereas those of T. dioicum are light greenish in color and hairless. Thalictrum venulosum (Veined Meadow Rue, Northern Meadow-rue), a species with a fairly limited distribution range in Wisconsin, also has a resemblance. The latter species can be differentiated by its bloom time, leaflets with usually 3 to 5 lobes, and its leaf shape. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant as a treatment for diarrhea and as a remedy for vomiting. The Iroquois empoyed the plant to treat sore eyes and to treat heart palpitations (Moerman, p. 554, 1998). Latitude: 44.794300 Longitude: -91.490048 Altitude: 235.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (ON, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na